If the Asbury Park community sat down to create elected officials who best represent our diverse and progressive interests, I think we would want what the Asbury Together team of Amy Quinn, Yvonne Clayton, and Eileen Chapman represents.

We want a diverse team that can relate to us all; black, white, gay, straight, younger, older. We want people who have been here when our City was great, when it was going through tough times, and as it started to come back. We want honest, hardworking representatives with experience and a proven track record of success. We want something about the candidates that is unique and progressive, just like our City.

The Asbury Together ticket of Amy Quinn, Yvonne Clayton, and Eileen Chapman represent all of Asbury Park and have diverse, complementary experiences. Councilwoman Yvonne Clayton grew up in Asbury Park when Springwood Avenue was a bustling commercial center and our Waterfront was the top destination in NJ. Councilwoman Chapman was here through some of Asbury’s toughest time and helped keep our culture alive and kicking as a long time manager of the Stone Pony. Deputy Mayor Quinn has lived here for the last 15 years and been a major contributor to our City’s resurgence. As Councilmembers these unique experiences guide their judgment.

Their hard work and honesty has resulted in a record of success. The reorganization of the Municipal Complex with top young professionals has transformed City Hall into a welcoming and efficient place to do business. Their emphasis on creative development on the Waterfront has led us away from K Hovnanian conformity of the prior council to unique architecture like the Monroe Townhomes and The Asbury Hotel.

The completion of the Springwood Avenue Park, and two new development project in the Springwood Avenue Redevelopment Area set to break ground in the next 3 months, represent a renewed focus on this vital area. The Asbury Hotel’s “Salt School” and creation of a Workforce Development Action Plan show a commitment to helping all of our residents be successful. The expansion of the City’s Recreation Program to include activities like music, surfing, and art resulted in record numbers of youth participation this year.

Remember to cast your vote on November 8th for the Asbury Together candidates of Quinn, Clayton, and Chapman.

Joe Woerner, Asbury Park

[This letter represents the opinion of its writer and is not representative of any opinion of the Asbury Park Sun staff. All readers are welcome to submit Letters to the Editor to [email protected] for our consideration. For guidelines on letter-writing and submission, click here.]